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Abstract:

An extension pole and tool holder apparatus is described. A first rod has
a distal end and a proximal end, and a first rod aperture extending from
the distal end toward the proximal end. It also includes a
transversely-extending aperture portion that is longitudinally spaced
from the distal end. A second rod also has distal and proximal ends, the
second rod being disposed in a telescoping, longitudinally-moveable
arrangement with respect to the first rod. The second rod typically has a
second rod aperture with a longitudinally-extending aperture portion
extending from the distal end toward the proximal end. A third rod has a
protruding member extending transversely outwardly therefrom, the third
rod being mountable within the first and second rods such that the
protruding member is trapped within the transversely-extended aperture
portion of the first rod aperture and the longitudinally-extended
aperture portion of the second rod aperture.

Claims:

1. An extension pole and tool holder apparatus, comprising: a first rod
having a distal end, a proximal end, and a first rod aperture extending
from the distal end toward the proximal end and including a
transversely-extending aperture portion that is longitudinally spaced
from the distal end; a second rod having a distal end and a proximal end,
the second rod being disposed in a telescoping, longitudinally-moveable
arrangement with respect to the first rod, the second rod having a second
rod aperture extending from the distal end toward the proximal end and
including a longitudinally-extending aperture portion; and a third rod
having a protruding member extending transversely outwardly therefrom,
the third rod being mountable within the first and second rods such that
the protruding member is trapped within the transversely-extended
aperture portion of the first rod aperture and the
longitudinally-extended aperture portion of the second rod aperture.

2. The extension pole and tool holder of claim 1, further comprising a
locking member positioned over the outermost of the first and second
rods, and an inwardly-extending locking assembly to which the locking
member is mounted for releasably locking the longitudinal position of the
first and second rods with respect to each other.

3. The extension pole and tool holder apparatus of claim 2, wherein the
locking member comprises a collar mounted to the outermost of the first
and second rods, the collar being displaceable in a first direction to
lock the relative position of the first and second rods with respect to
each other, and displaceable in a second direction to unlock the relative
position of the first and second rods with respect to each other.

4. The extension pole and tool holder apparatus of claim 1, further
comprising a biasing spring mounted between the first and the second rods
such that the second rod is biased in a distal direction with respect to
the first rod, thereby exerting a distal force on the protruding member
when it is disposed within the first and second rod apertures.

5. The extension pole and tool holder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
first and second rods are mounted to each other such that relative
rotation is not permitted between them.

6. The extension pole and tool holder apparatus of claim 5 wherein the
first and second rod apertures each includes side edges that at least in
part substantially conform to each other.

7. An extension pole and tool holder apparatus, comprising: a first
substantially cylindrical rod having a distal end and a proximal end and
a first rod aperture extending from the distal end toward the proximal
end, the first rod aperture including a longitudinally-extending portion
and a circumferentially-extending portion, wherein the
longitudinally-extending portion is at the distal end of the first rod,
and the circumferentially-extending portion extends circumferentially
from a proximal end of the longitudinally-extending portion; a second
substantially cylindrical rod having a distal end and a proximal end, the
second rod being disposed in a telescoping, longitudinally moveable
arrangement with respect to the first rod, and having a second rod
aperture extending from the distal end toward the proximal end, the
second rod aperture comprising a circumferentially-extending portion and
a longitudinally-extending portion, wherein the
circumferentially-extending portion is at the second rod distal end and
the longitudinally-extending portion extends longitudinally from a
proximal end of the circumferentially-extending portion; and a third rod
having a protruding member extending radially outwardly from at least one
side thereof, the third rod being mountable within the first and second
rod such that the protruding member is trapped within the
circumferentially-extended portion of the first rod aperture and the
longitudinally-extended portion of the second rod aperture.

8. The extension pole and tool holder apparatus of claim 7, wherein the
second rod is biased in a distal direction with respect to the first rod.

9. The extension pole and tool holder of claim 7, further comprising
means for locking the position of the first and second rods with respect
to each other.

10. The extension pole and tool holder of claim 7, further comprising a
collar positioned over the outermost of the first and second rods, the
collar being moveable to lock and unlock the position of the first and
second rods with respect to each other.

11. The extension pole and tool holder of claim 10 wherein the collar is
rotatable from a locked to an unlocked position.

12. The extension pole and tool holder apparatus of claim 7 wherein the
longitudinally-extending portion of the second rod aperture extends from
a side of the circumferentially-extending portion that is remote from the
longitudinally-extending portion of the first rod aperture.

13. An extension pole and tool holder apparatus, comprising: a first
substantially cylindrical rod having a distal end and a proximal end and
a first rod aperture extending from the distal end toward the proximal
end, the first rod aperture including a longitudinally-extending portion
and a circumferentially-extending portion, wherein the
longitudinally-extending portion is at the distal end of the first rod,
and the circumferentially-extending portion is disposed proximally of the
distal end; a second substantially cylindrical rod having a distal end
and a proximal end, the second rod being disposed in a telescoping
arrangement with the first rod and being biased in a distal direction
with respect to the first rod, and having a second rod aperture extending
from the distal end toward the proximal end, the second rod aperture
comprising a circumferentially-extending portion and a
longitudinally-extending portion, wherein the circumferentially-extending
portion is at the second rod distal end, and a locking collar mounted to
the outermost of the first and second rods, the locking collar being
mounted to a radially-inwardly extending locking assembly, the collar
being rotatable in a first direction to lock the relative position of the
first and second rods with respect to each other, and rotatable in a
second direction to unlock the relative position of the first and second
rods with respect to each other; and a third rod having a protruding
member extending radially outwardly therefrom, the third rod being
mountable within the first and second rods such that the protruding
member is trapped within the circumferentially-extending portion of the
first rod aperture and the longitudinally-extending portion of the second
rod aperture.

14. The extension pole and tool holder apparatus of claim 13 wherein the
locking assembly includes a pin assembly ring disposed within the first
and second rods, a sleeve pin positioned to align the apertures of the
first and second rods, and a collar pin positioned to mount the collar
over the outermost of the first and second rods and rotate the pin
assembly ring, whereby rotation of the collar rotates the collar pin and
the pin assembly ring.

15. The extension pole and tool holder apparatus of claim 14, wherein the
bias is provided by a spring mounted within the first and second rods,
which biases the pin assembly ring in a distal direction.

16. The extension pole and tool holder apparatus of claim 14, wherein the
locking assembly prevents the second rod from moving longitudinally with
respect to the first rod when the sleeve pin and collar pin are not
radially parallel with each other, and allows such longitudinal movement
when the sleeve pin and the collar pin are radially parallel with each
other.

17. The extension pole and tool holder apparatus of claim 13 wherein the
first and second rod apertures each includes sides that at least in part
substantially conform to each other.

18. The extension pole and tool holder apparatus of claim 17 wherein the
right side of the longitudinally-extending portion of the handle member
aperture and the right side of the circumferentially-extending portion of
the retaining sleeve aperture substantially conform to each other, and
the left edge of the circumferentially-extending portion of the first rod
aperture, and the left edge of longitudinally-extending portion of the
second rod aperture, substantially conform to each other.

19. The extension pole and tool holder apparatus of claim 1, 7 or 13
wherein a pair of first rod apertures and second rod apertures and two
protruding members are included on opposing sides of the first and second
rods.

20. The extension pole and tool holder apparatus of claim 1, 7 or 13
wherein the third rod has distal and proximal ends, and the proximal end
of the third rod is mounted to the first and second rods, further
comprising a tool mounted adjacent the distal end of the third rod.

[0002] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of
generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently
named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background
section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise
qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor
impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. Unless
otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are
not prior art to the claims in the present disclosure and are not
admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] It is often advantageous to mount certain tools on the end of an
extension pole to reach inconvenient or inaccessible areas without the
use of ladders, scaffolding, and the like. The most widely recognized
application of such tool mounting extension poles is in connection with
paint rollers, paint brushes, window washing squeegees, etc. Traditional
tool mounting extension poles have threaded bores that allow a user to
screw on tools and additional pole sections. The threaded bores generally
adhere to industry-accepted size and thread pattern, so that tools of
various types and manufacturers may be substantially served by extension
poles of various types and manufacturers. Unfortunately, once screwed
onto the end of a traditional extension pole, a tool is often susceptible
to undesirable and inadvertent loosening and unscrewing during use.
Moreover, when tightly installed, the tool is substantially fixed in
position, making attachment, detachment, and use of the tool awkward and
difficult.

SUMMARY

[0004] An extension pole and tool holder apparatus is described including
first, second and third rods, with a tool typically being mounted to the
third rod. One aspect of the invention includes a first rod that has a
distal end and a proximal end, and a first rod aperture extending from
the distal end toward the proximal end. The first rod aperture also
includes a transversely-extending aperture portion that is longitudinally
spaced from the distal end. The second rod has distal and proximal ends,
the second rod being disposed in a telescoping, longitudinally-moveable
arrangement with respect to the first rod. The second rod typically has a
second rod aperture with a longitudinally-extending aperture portion
extending from the distal end toward the proximal end. The third rod has
a protruding member extending transversely outwardly therefrom, the third
rod being mountable within the first and second rods such that the
protruding member is trapped within the transversely-extended aperture
portion of the first rod aperture and the longitudinally-extended
aperture portion of the second rod aperture.

[0005] Another aspect of the invention provides an extension pole and tool
holder apparatus including first, second and third substantially
cylindrical rods, each of which includes a distal and proximal end. The
first rod includes a first rod aperture extending from the distal end
toward the proximal end, the first rod aperture including a
longitudinally-extending portion and a circumferentially-extending
portion, wherein the longitudinally-extending portion is at the distal
end of the first rod, and the circumferentially-extending portion extends
from a proximal end of the longitudinally-extending portion. The second
rod has a second rod aperture extending from the distal end toward the
proximal end, the second rod aperture comprising a
circumferentially-extending portion and a longitudinally-extending
portion, wherein the circumferentially-extending portion is at the second
rod distal end and the longitudinally-extending portion extends
longitudinally from a proximal end of the circumferentially-extending
portion. The third rod has a protruding member extending radially
outwardly from each side thereof, the third rod being mountable within
the first and second rod such that the protruding member is trapped
within the circumferentially-extended portion of the first rod aperture
and the longitudinally-extended portion of the second rod aperture.

[0006] Yet another aspect of the invention provides an extension pole and
tool holder apparatus with first, second and third substantially
cylindrical rods, the first rod including a first rod aperture extending
from the distal end toward the proximal end. The first rod aperture
includes a longitudinally-extending portion and a
circumferentially-extending portion, wherein the longitudinally-extending
portion is at the distal end of the first rod, and the
circumferentially-extending portion is disposed proximally of the distal
end. The second rod is disposed in a telescoping arrangement with the
first rod and is biased in a distal direction with respect to the first
rod. The second rod includes a second rod aperture extending from the
distal end toward the proximal end, the second rod aperture including a
circumferentially-extending portion and a longitudinally-extending
portion, wherein the circumferentially-extending portion is at the second
rod distal end. It also includes a locking collar mounted to the
outermost of the first and second rods, the locking collar being mounted
to a radially-inwardly extending locking assembly. The collar is
rotatable in a first direction to lock the relative position of the first
and second rods with respect to each other, and rotatable in a second
direction to unlock the relative position of the first and second rods
with respect to each other. The third rod includes a protruding member
extending radially outwardly therefrom, the third rod being mountable
within the first and second rods such that the protruding member is
trapped within the circumferentially-extended portion of the first rod
aperture and the longitudinally-extended portion of the second rod
aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed
in the concluding portion of the specification. The foregoing and other
features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from
the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only
several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore,
not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be
described with additional specificity and detail through use of the
accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an interlocking extension pole
and tool holder, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0009]FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of the interlocking extension
pole and tool holder in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing
a paint roller mounted in place on the holder.

[0010]FIG. 1B is a side view of the tool-mounting section in accordance
with the embodiment of FIG. 1, rotated to show two protruding members.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a side exploded perspective view of the interlocking
extension pole and tool holder, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG.
1.

[0012] FIGS. 3A-E are side views of a pole section being inserted and
locked into the interlocking extension pole and tool holder, in
accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIGS. 4A-C are side cutaway views of the locking mechanism in the
locked position, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 4D is an end view of the interlocking extension pole and tool
holder in the locked position, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG.
1.

[0015] FIGS. 4E-G are side cutaway views of the locking mechanism in the
unlocked position, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 4H is an end view of the interlocking extension pole and tool
holder in the unlocked position, in accordance with the embodiment of
FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals
refer to like parts throughout. For ease of description, the components
of embodiments of the present disclosure are described in the normal
(upright) operating position, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal,
etc., are used with reference to this position. It will be understood,
however, that the components of embodiments of the present disclosure may
be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation
other than the position described.

[0018] Figures illustrating the components of embodiments of the present
disclosure show some conventional mechanical elements that may be known
and that may be recognized by one skilled in the art. The detailed
descriptions of such elements that are not necessary to an understanding
of the disclosure, and accordingly are herein presented only to the
degree necessary to facilitate an understanding of the novel features of
the present disclosure.

[0019] As used herein and in the appended claims, the term "comprising" is
inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional unrecited
elements, compositional components, or method steps. Accordingly, the
term "comprising" encompasses the more restrictive terms "consisting
essentially of" and "consisting of."

[0020] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural
references unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, the
use of substantially any plural terms herein may be translated by those
having skill in the art from the plural to the singular as is appropriate
to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural
permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0021] In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of
A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in
the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention
(e.g., "an apparatus having at least one of A, B, and C" would include
but not be limited to apparatuses that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A
and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C
together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art
that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more
alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings,
should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of
the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A
or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A
and B."

[0022] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all
purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges
disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and
combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily
recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being
broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths,
etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be
readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third,
etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art, all language
such as "up to," "at least," "greater than," "less than," and the like
include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently
broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be
understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual
member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 elements refers to groups
having 1, 2, or 3 elements. Similarly, a group having 1-5 elements refers
to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 elements, and so forth.

[0023] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used
herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary
skill in the art to which embodiments of the present invention pertain.
Although a number of methods and materials similar or equivalent to those
described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention,
the preferred materials and methods are described herein.

[0024] FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment of an interlocking extension pole
and tool holder 10 with the tool holder being removed. The extension pole
and tool holder 10 has a distal end 2, a proximal end 4, and apertures 22
and 32 disposed at each side of distal end 2, offset by 180 degrees. For
purposes of simplifying this detailed description, the apertures on only
one side of extension pole and tool holder may sometimes be described and
depicted in the following discussion.

[0025] A tool-mounting section 70, which may be inserted at distal end 2
of extension pole and tool holder 10, is also depicted. Tool-mounting
section 70 typically has radially protruding members 72 (also depicted in
FIG. 1B) positioned such that when the tool-mounting section is mounted
to extension pole and tool holder 10, the protruding members extend
through apertures 22 and 32, thereby allowing the coupling of the
tool-mounting section 70 to the extension pole and tool holder. While two
radially-protruding members are shown in the depicted embodiment, it is
possible that only one such protruding member would be included, for
example, if apertures 22 and 32 were provided on only one side of
extension pole and tool holder 10.

[0026] As depicted in FIG. 2, the interlocking extension pole and tool
holder 10 includes a handle member 20, a retaining sleeve 30, and a
locking member, normally in the form of a locking collar 40. Handle
member 20 will sometimes herein be referred to as a first rod; retaining
sleeve 30 will sometimes be referred to herein as a second rod; and
tool-mounting section 70 will sometimes be referred to herein as a third
rod. While the figures depict the preferred cylindrical configuration, it
should be understood that the rods do not have to be cylindrical, but my
be square, rectangular or any other shape in cross-section.

[0027] Aperture 22 is disposed at the distal end of the handle member 20.
As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3B-C, handle member aperture 22 includes a
longitudinally-extending portion 23 and a circumferentially-extending
portion 25, the longitudinally-extending portion 23 being at the distal
end of handle member 20, and the circumferentially-extending portion 25
extending circumferentially from the proximal end of the
longitudinally-extending portion 23. Or, stated another way, the
longitudinally-extending portion 23 is at the distal end of handle member
20, and the circumferentially-extending portion 25 is proximally spaced
from the distal end. Another way to describe the
circumferentially-extending portion 25 is that it is
transversely-extending, for example if handle member 20 and retaining
sleeve 30 are not cylindrical in configuration.

[0028] As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3B-C, aperture 32 is disposed at the
distal end of the retaining sleeve 30, and includes a
circumferentially-extending portion 33 and a longitudinally-extending
portion 37 that extends longitudinally from the proximal end of
circumferentially-extending portion 33. Or, stated another way, retaining
sleeve aperture 32 includes a circumferentially-extending portion 33 at
the distal end of retaining sleeve 30, and a longitudinally-extending
portion 37 that is contiguous with and extends longitudinally from one
side of the proximal end of circumferentially-extending portion 33. In
the depicted embodiment the longitudinally-extending portion 37 of
retaining sleeve aperture 32 extends from the side of the retaining
sleeve aperture that is remote from longitudinally-extending portion of
the 23 of handle portion aperture 22. Again, another way to describe the
circumferentially-extending portion 33 is that it is
transversely-extending, particularly if handle member 20 and retaining
sleeve 30 are not cylindrical in configuration.

[0029] It can be seen in FIGS. 3A-C that in the depicted embodiment the
side edges of handle member aperture 22 and retaining sleeve aperture 32
substantially conform to each other at least in part. Or, more precisely,
the right side of longitudinally-extending portion 23 of handle member
aperture 22 and the right side of circumferentially-extending portion 33
of retaining sleeve aperture 32 substantially conform to each other. It
can also be seen that the left edge of handle member aperture 22, that
is, the left edge of circumferentially-extending portion 25, and the left
edge of retaining sleeve aperture 32, and the left edge of
longitudinally-extending portion 37, also conform. With retaining sleeve
30 in its retracted position shown in FIGS. 3B-C, it can be seen that the
proximal edge of circumferentially-extending portion 25 of handle member
aperture 22 also substantially conforms to, or is slightly below, the
proximal edge of circumferentially-extending portion 33 of retaining
sleeve aperture 32.

[0030] Handle member 20 and retaining sleeve 30 have the same longitudinal
axis 21 and fit snugly but longitudinally slidably with respect to each
other. In the depicted embodiment they would not be rotatable with
respect to each other. In their initial positions shown in FIG. 3A, the
distal ends of handle member 20 and retaining sleeve 30 are in axial
alignment. In the depicted embodiment, locking collar 40 also has the
same longitudinal axis 21 and fits snugly but rotatably over retaining
sleeve 30 adjacent a proximal end 31 of the retaining sleeve. In some
embodiments (not depicted) the collar may be displaceable in a manner
other than being rotated.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 2, the depicted handle member 20 can be seen to
include a T-shaped slot 24. The term "slot" as used herein is used in its
broadest sense to mean any type of opening or hole, not necessarily one
that is long and narrow or T-shaped, unless so described. The depicted
retaining sleeve 30 includes a transversely or
circumferentially-extending opening 34 and a hole 35 adjacent proximal
end 31 thereof. In the depicted embodiment hole 35 is positioned adjacent
but slightly distally of opening 34. When handle member 20 and retaining
sleeve 30 are positioned with their distal ends in alignment as depicted
in FIG. 3A, opening 34, hole 35 and T-shaped slot 24 are disposed
adjacent each other, with opening 34 and hole 35 being disposed radially
outwardly of T-shaped slot 24.

[0032] As shown best in FIG. 2, handle member 20 may also include an
engagement member such as a ring member 26 that is positioned even
further toward the proximal end than T-shaped slot 24. In the depicted
embodiment each end of ring member 26 extends into handle member 20. As
shown best in FIG. 2, a biasing member such as a spring 50 may be
positioned within handle member 20. as shown best in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a
proximal end 50a of spring 50 abuts the portion(s) of engagement member
or ring member 26 that extend into the handle member. The term
"engagement member" as used herein may describe a member of any shape as
long as it engages the proximal end of the biasing member. The term "ring
member" as used herein should not be considered to require that the
member be ring-shaped in configuration. The term merely means that at
least a portion of the member surrounds a portion of the extension pole
and tool holder 10.

[0033] Also positioned within handle member 20 is a locking assembly
extending into the handle member to facilitate locking of handle member
20 and retaining sleeve 30 with respect to each other. The locking member
may be described as extending radially into handle member 20 if the
handle member is cylindrical in configuration. In the depicted embodiment
the locking assembly includes a pin assembly ring 60, shown best in FIGS.
2, 4A, 4B, 4E and 4F. Pin assembly ring 60 is positioned at a distal end
50b of spring 50 so that the spring resiliently holds the pin assembly
ring in position distally spaced from ring member 26. Pin assembly ring
60 has two axially-extending grooves: a slight groove 62 and a deep
groove 64. The depicted structure is one way to provide the bias, in the
distal direction, of retaining sleeve 30 with respect to handle member
20.

[0034] A radially-extending sleeve pin 36 is positioned within handle
member 20 and retaining sleeve 30 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A-H. Locking
collar 40 is positioned snugly but rotatably on retaining sleeve 30.
Locking collar 40 includes a collar aperture 42 that extends entirely
through the locking collar and is designed to receive a
radially-extending locking collar pin 44. Locking collar pin 44 has a
pair of spaced narrowed portions 44a and 44b to facilitate engagement of
the locking collar pin in pin assembly ring 60.

[0035] FIGS. 4A-D depict the relative positions of sleeve pin 36, locking
collar pin 44, pin assembly ring 60, T-shaped slot 24, opening 34 and
hole 35, from the deepest to the shallowest layer, when the depicted
embodiment 10 is in its locked position. FIG. 4A depicts the deepest
layer, showing the relative positions of the sleeve pin 36 and locking
collar pin 44 with respect to pin assembly ring 60. FIG. 4B depicts the
median layer, showing the relative positions of the pins with respect to
T-shaped slot 24. FIG. 4C depicts the shallowest layer, showing the
relative positions of the pins with respect to opening 34 and hole 35.
FIG. 4D is an end view showing these various components looking downward
or from the distal end.

[0036] FIGS. 4E-H depict the relative positions of sleeve pin 36, locking
collar pin 44, pin assembly ring 60, T-shaped slot 24, opening 34 and
hole 35, from the deepest to the shallowest layer, when the depicted
embodiment 10 is in its unlocked position. FIG. 4E depicts the deepest
layer, showing the relative positions of sleeve pin 36 and locking collar
pin 44 with respect to the pin assembly ring 60. FIG. 4F depicts the
median layer, showing the relative positions of the pins with respect to
T-shaped slot 24. FIG. 4G depicts the shallowest layer, showing the
relative positions of the pins with respect to opening 34 and hole 35.
FIG. 4F, like FIG. 4D, is an end view showing these various components
looking downward or from the distal end.

[0037] As can be seen from FIGS. 4A-D, in the locked position, retaining
sleeve 30 cannot be retracted longitudinally toward the proximal end due
to the position of locking collar pin 44 within T-shaped slot 24 and
opening 34; that is, there is no space for longitudinal movement. In
contrast, in the unlocked position depicted in FIGS. 4E-H, retaining
sleeve 30 and locking collar 40 can be retracted longitudinally toward
the proximal end because of the position of locking collar pin 44 within
T-shaped slot 24 and opening 34; now there is space for longitudinal
movement. Described another way, the locking assembly prevents relative
longitudinal movement between the first and second rods when sleeve pin
36 and collar pin 44 are not radially parallel with each other, and
allows such longitudinal movement when the sleeve pin and the collar pin
are radially parallel with each other.

[0038] In order to assemble the depicted extension pole and tool holder
10, retaining sleeve 30 is slid over the handle member 20, and spring 50
is compressed until the distal edges of apertures 22 and 32 are axially
aligned as shown in FIG. 3A. With the retaining sleeve 30 in this
position, sleeve pin 36 can be inserted through T-shaped slot 24 and hole
35. Sleeve pin 36 initially rests on slight groove 62 of pin assembly
ring 60 when in the locked position (as shown in FIG. 4A), but may rest
on top of deep groove 64 when in the unlocked position (as shown in FIG.
4E). Next, locking collar 40 is slipped over retaining sleeve 30 and slid
proximally down the sleeve until locking collar pin 44 may be inserted
through collar aperture 42, T-shaped slot 24 and opening 34, and thereby
hold locking collar 40 in position on retaining sleeve 30. Positioned
thusly, locking collar pin 44 rests in deep groove 64 of pin assembly
ring 60.

[0039] As depicted in FIG. 3A-E, a tool-mounting section 70, including a
tool such as a paint roller 71 (FIGS. 1A and 1B), can be locked or
unlocked into handle member 20 by axially and rotationally adjusting the
position of locking collar 40. In FIG. 1A, paint roller 71 is shown to be
threaded into tool-mounting section 70, although any other manner of
mounting the roller or other tool is also possible. It may also be that
the roller or other tool is fabricated to be integral with tool-mounting
section 70.

[0040] In order to mount tool-mounting section 70 to handle member 20 and
retaining sleeve 30, as shown in FIG. 3B, retaining sleeve 30 is first
retracted in a proximal direction against the bias of spring 50. Then,
still as shown in FIG. 3B, tool-mounting section 70 is inserted into
handle member 20 with protruding member 72 positioned at the proximal end
of longitudinal-extending portion 23 of handle body aperture 22. As shown
in FIG. 3c, tool-mounting section 70 is then rotated such that protruding
member 72 moves to the left or far end of longitudinal-extending portion
23 of handle body aperture 22. At the same time, protruding member is
moving to the left side of circumferentially-extending portion 33 of
retaining sleeve aperture 32. Retaining sleeve 30 is then released to
permit the bias of spring 50 to shift the retaining sleeve distally to
the position depicted in FIG. 3D. Then locking collar 40 is rotated to
the right from the position shown in FIG. 3D to that shown in FIG. 3E,
thus preventing retraction of the retaining sleeve, and locking
protruding member 72 between the proximal edge of longitudinal-extending
portion 23 of retaining sleeve aperture 32 and the distal edge of
circumferentially-extending portion 25 of handle member aperture 22. This
in turn locks tool-mounting section 70 in place.

[0041] Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described
herein for purposes of description, a wide variety of alternate and/or
equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same
purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This
application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the
embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that
embodiments described herein be limited only by the claims and the
equivalents thereof.